INTRODUCTION
As well as an Independent County Councillor for Alnwick, I am an Alnwick District and Alnwick Town Councillor. I have been a District Councillor for 8 years and a Town Councillor for 10 years. I was elected to the County Council for the first time in May 2005. I have never belonged to any political party and always stand as an Independent because I believe that local politics should be free of party politics. My membership of the County Council Conservative and Independent Group mirrors that on the Independent Alliance of Alnwick District Council - both are purely to obtain influential committee places under the proportionality rules. I speak and vote as I see fit.
I have worked at Barter Books in Alnwick since 1995. Prior to this I served in the RAF for 25 years, taking early retirement in 1995 with the rank of Group Captain. I was educated at the Duke’s Grammar School Alnwick and graduated in Philosophy from Newcastle University in 1973. I am married with 2 grown up children. In my remaining spare time I run and keep fit and ride what is now my 52nd motorcycle, a lifelong hobby.
Though always interested in politics I was never active until I left the RAF and came back to live in Alnwick, where I was born and grew up. I got involved following an infamous debacle at Alnwick over a supermarket planning application. I felt that if you are publicly critical of those who are in office on your behalf, you should be prepared to try and do better. Once in, I was quickly sucked in further till local politics started to take over my life. I have never regretted it. I regard it as a great honour and privilege for an Alnwick lad to represent his town, which I have always thought the best place to live in the UK, long before this was officially recognised!
My first duty is to represent the interests of my constituents to the best of my ability. This means exercising my judgement on their behalf, and making sure I am as well informed as possible. Obviously, it is not possible to agree with or satisfy everyone. However, it is the duty of all councillors both to listen to those who wish to register their views and, after due consideration, to explain their own.
My military background has taught me to value clear thinking and good communications. These are much less evident in local government than they should be, and I frequently despair at the unwieldiness and bureaucracy of it all. However, I am a cheerful and optimistic person who believes in the power of persistence. I am readily available and I do like to be asked to help!
RESPONSIBILITIES
I currently hold the following responsibilities:
- Member of Child Services Scrutiny Committee
- Member of Alnwick Area Committee
- Chairman of Alnwick Community Development Trust
- Member of Alnwick Community Centre Committee
- Elected member of Alnwick District Council and Alnwick Town Council
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